Terri Irwin is so beautiful, fragile, and strong.
Despite the overwhelming sadness that prompted our meeting, I spent one of the most inspired, loving Sunday afternoons of my career.
I came away completely shattered by Terri’s grief, overwhelmed by her immense strength and unshakeable faith, humbled by her generosity and big heart despite it being currently shattered.
Such is her amazing outlook, rather than feeling cheated by the death of the man she loves so deeply, Terri chooses to see the positive.
“I just feel blessed that we had 14 years together,” she said as she walked me through the magical grounds of the paradise Steve created, Australia Zoo. “So blessed to have two very beautiful children…
“And I know I’m going to see Steve again, in heaven. My faith is not rattled by this — it’s what’s getting me through.”
Terri’s emotions are so raw she’s exhausted from crying and trying to be brave at the same time. You just want to hold her and tell her something, anything that will take away this overwhelming anguish that causes her to breakdown.
We chat as old friends, hopping from grief to laughter and back again. It felt such a privilege to talk to Terri, to cry with her and to pray with her at the end our interview.
One minute she was so shattered, the next, those beautiful eyes so tired from crying, would sparkle as she recalled so many of the fun times she had with her big kid of a husband.
“He truly was magical,” she told me. “It’s nice in this day and age that we can have a hero, have someone who actually is who he seemed to be.”
I felt truly grateful that Terri has Wes Mannion, Steve’s best mate to hold fast to.
“Every morning I have therapy with Wes and a little cry,” she said. “I think because he was Steve’s best friend and knew Steve longer than me it’s extremely helpful. “We can talk about good times and then it gets me through another hour.”
The animals too are working their magic. They sense Terri’s grief and draw near to comfort her. It’s like something out of Dr Doolittle, they communicate with each other, and her face becomes a picture of serenity in their keeping. It’s truly surreal. I’m standing with Terri talking about Steve, sharing the space with a fat wombat, a baby alligator, a cockatoo, a python and three elephants. I’ll never forget it.
I leave Terri with a hug.
“I don’t want this to die with Steve,” she said, looking around the zoo he so lovingly created. “This zoo, his conservation work, his children, and his passion for life are going to be his legacy.”
As I leave, Wes comes up and gives me a hug. “That was awesome,” he said. “You took the time to care for Terri and not just fire questions at her.”
It’s Terri Irwin who’s awesome. I loved meeting her.
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